Preview
Latvia and FYR Macedonia face at Daugavas Stadionā, in a match for this stage of the EC Qualification (Qualifying Round). The home advantage may play an important role in this match , since Latvia presents significant differences between home and away results.

Analysis of Latvia
The home team is currently in the 6th position, no points won yet, after 5 losses. In the penultimate round, they have lost a home match against Slovenia by (0‑5). In the last round, they have lost an away match against Austria by (6‑0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 draws and 10 losses in away matches, with 8 goals scored and 30 conceded; against 4 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses at their stadium, with 13 goals scored and 29 conceded. Latvia has won 2, tied 2 and lost 4 of the last 8 home matches.

In this competition, they have a sequence of 5 losses in the last matches. They haven’t been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in all of the last 5 matches, and their offense needs to do better, since they haven’t scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. This is a team that has had a hard time trying to score first. They have opened up the score in only 2 of the last 15 matches, and have never reached half‑time in front. In 15 matches, they have conceded the first goal 11 times and have never been able to turn the score around.

Just being in the bottom of the group already shows how Latvia’s performance in the Euro qualifiers is going. Believing in their qualification becomes utopian, so much so that in reality all they can do is to improve their numbers. It is evident that at home is where they have the most chances and so they cling to this factor to try to score this round. Still it won’t be easy and to see it happen they need to have a perfect acting and a little luck.
Analysis of FYR Macedonia
The away team is currently in the 5th position, with 5 points won, after 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses. In the penultimate round, they have lost a home match against Austria by (1‑4). In the last round, they have tied an away match against Israel by (1‑1). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 13 goals scored and 16 conceded; against 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 29 goals scored and 18 conceded. In the last 8 away matches FYR Macedonia has won 2, tied 5 and lost 1. Defensive consistency hasn’t been their best feature, as they have conceded at least one goal in each of the last 5 matches, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 7 of the last 8 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals. In 15 matches, they have conceded the first goal 5 times and have never been able to turn the score around.

The Macedonia side knows that reaching the Eurocup will be quite complicated and all because of the strength of their opponents. Even so, they want to try their best and aim for growth going forward, in terms of performance and results. Even playing away from home they will try to surprise and know they can win the victory. Their opponent is worse off in the competition and should take advantage of it to impose their pace of play. In this match the best players available will be on the field.